By Adeyinka Adeniran
Oyo state government has approved N3.5billion for the clearing of the 36.7km Northeast segment of the Senator Rashidi Ladoja Ibadan Circular Road.
The government also approved the investment of ₦691,307,39.86 in Wema Bank Right Issuance Program.
Additionally, the state government approved the regularisation and integration of 129 floating staff members of the defunct Oyo State Agricultural Development Programme (OYSADEP) into the mainstream of the state civil service.
The approvals forms part of resolutions reached at the weekly State Executive Council meeting which held at the Council Chamber of the Governor’s Office, Agodi Secretariat, Ibadan.
Addressing reporters during the Exco briefing which held on Wednesday, Commissioner for Public Works and Transport, Professor Saud Sangodoyin said the new phase of the project which will complement the completed Southeast segment of the road will last for the period of six months
Prof. Sangodoyin said the project which runs from Badeku axis to Moniya axis includes 150metres width bush clearing through the 36.7km length, removal of topsoil, construction of selected culverts and limited provision of earthworks among others.
The commissioner for works also said the council has approved the renovation and remodeling of Oyo State governor’s lodge and state liaison office at Ikeja, Lagos state which has been abandoned since the last 15 years.
He said the project will cost the sum of ₦322,134,999.05 for the duration of three months.
He added that the council has approved the reconstruction of the 0.5km Mapo roundabout to Oritamerin road in Ibadan at the sum of ₦373,809,539.41
Also speaking at the briefing, on the Wema bank Right issues, the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Prof. Musibau Babatunde, said the State council approved the investment in the interest of the future of the state.
According to him, many states are preoccupied with obtaining loans whereas Oyo is one of the rare states who are investing for the future of the state.
He said this investment will help the state government to prepare and secure the financial future of the state.
Prof. Babatunde also disclosed that the council has approved the sum of N10billion facility to provide counterpart funding for World Bank assisted projects in the state.
He said the funding will assist the state government as marching grant to access some of the world bank programs which are focused on the socioeconomic wellbeing of residents of the state.
In his remarks to the briefing, the Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade, said the reabsorbed 129 staff will henceforth enjoy their promotions and other entitlements for civil servants.
He said Governor Seyi Makinde, by this action is being consistent with his attitude of empathy for the civil servants who have procedural, legal or other issues with the system.
He recalled that in the past four and a half years, scores of civil servants have been reabsorbed into the service to correct the insensitivity of past administrations.
